Three Aussie Authors You May Have Missed

All this week Caffeinated will be hosting guest bloggers from around the world in the Caffeinated BEA Takeover. They will be discussing books, boyfriends, tips, tricks and more. Our first guest is Deborah from Debbish.com. Deborah is an Australian blogger with a passion for writing. Today she is sharing Three Aussie Authors You May Have Missed. Grab a cup of your favorite caffeinated beverage and make her feel welcome. Deborah will be replying and visiting all of you today!

When the opportunity to guest blog on Kimberly’s site first came up I decided it was the perfect chance to showcase Australian literature.

Three Aussie Authors You May Have Missed

I read Parrett’s second book When The Night Comes in 2014. And I fell in love with the story of a Danish seaman on board a vessel bound for the Antarctic and a young Tasmanian girl whose mother he befriends. Parrett’s writing is stunning and I was enchanted.

And it was only recently that I read her first novel, Past the Shallows – a somewhat devastating tale about two young boys and their distant and neglectful fisherman father… and I fell in love again. Parrett features the ocean in both and it’s akin to another character. Her passion and respect for its alluring, yet dangerous beauty is very evident. I cannot wait for what’s next.

With a ‘you-don’t-quite-count’ nod to Aussie expat, Michael Robotham, Candice Fox is easily my favourite Aussie thriller author. Her recent series, Hades, Eden and Fox got progressively better…and darker. Centred around a prickly Dexter Morgan-like serial killer and cop (Eden) and her adopted father and former crime-boss Hades, the series offers readers the opportunity to consider our own morals, boundaries and sense of right and wrong.

Fox has also very recently co-authored two books with James Patterson which I’m yet to read.

Regular readers of my blog will be surprised I’ve included Johns here as I’m not a reader of romance. Romantic suspense yes, but romance (and rural romance in particular)…. No. Nope. No sirree.

However, I know many MANY fans of Aussie author Rachael Johns who writes rural romance and what she describes as ‘Life-Lit’. Her novels are quintessentially Australian and loved by many. I follow the delightful West Australian author on social media and know – if I ever get past my antipathy towards romance* – I would love Rachael’s work.

There are so many more wonderful Australian novels and writers I couldn’t do them justice. I’ve included links to the Awards I mention above, so if you have a chance, check out some of the recent winners.

I’m embarrassed to admit I avoided Australian writers and books set here for years. I read to escape, so I didn’t want to read about my own backyard. But I realise now what a disservice I did to myself and my reading repertoire and am now – most certainly – trying to rectify that.

Do you have any favourite Australian authors?

* I think my aversion towards romance is borne of the fairytales, Sweet Dreams novels and Mills & Boon all read in my youth and the promise of great love from an adoring wealthy and charismatic Mr Darcy-like suitor. Needless to say it didn’t happen and I’m probably still nursing my bitter and twisted heart as I plummet into old age!

Thank you Deborah! Deborah Cook lives on the Fraser Coast in Queensland, Australia and blogs about books, not-dieting and life in general at debbish.com. I met Deborah through the Sunday Post and love the diversity she brings her to blog through reviews, discussions and life posts. Her reviews have depth and she communicates her opinions without spoilers, something I appreciate it. I enjoy her discussion posts where she shares her journeys in writing and everyday challenges. Follow Debbish.com on Bloglovin’

About Kimberly

Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. She's a self-professed Whovian, as well as a Supernatural, and Sherlock Holmes junkie, She enjoys sharing books, tips, recipes and hosting the Sunday Post. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat...Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Some writers have a love for the sea and Favel Parrett sounds like one of those- her books sound quite interesting. The only author I know I’ve read that is Australian is Liane Moriarty, who I discovered recently. I’d like to try more! 🙂

Great post Deborah – I haven’t seen those authors before but I am certainly willing to check them all out. I have read 2 books by Tania Joyce (Aussie author of the Strictly Business Series) also Patti Dun Roberts (Paradox) I feel like I need to diversify a little more. Thanks for sharing!

I need to diversify as well Maggie. Interestingly in my Sunday Post this week I mention a book I accidentally downloaded – worried I wouldn’t like it as I’m not a fan of historical fiction…. Well, it’s after midnight in Australia and I’ve obsessively read the whole thing tonight!

I seem to make assumptions about my taste and tolerance which are often wrong!

I need to read some Aussie authors. I am sure I have heard of some of those by following your blog but off hand they don’t sound familiar. I know I do want to check out any that write mysteries and thrillers. 🙂

I hadn’t heard of any of these authors but I’ll definitely check them out. I’m particularly interested in Candice Fox and Rachael Johns. As for a favorite Aussie author, I’m quite fond of Geraldine Brooks. 🙂

Thanks for this guestpost Deborah! I haven’t heard of ANY of the authors you mentioned in the post, but I have met and became a fan of Australian authors Annie West and Kelly Hunter, who write for Harlequin. And I do have books of Anna Campbell, but haven’t read them yet.

Tash

I’m an Aussie and ashamed to say I never heard of Favel Parratt. Someone to definitely check out in the future. For those fans of the good old Harlequin Rachael John has three books coming out with them later this year for the Special Edition to keep eye out for. She is a wonderful author that I’m surprised hasn’t become known more internationally consider the extensive backlist and the fact she started of her writing career with Carina Press.

Rita

Deb, I love this! I do read Australian authors, but not as much as I would like because, let’s face it, British authors get much more fanfare over here in U.S. than Australian or New Zealand region authors. I would love to get to know more good authors, no matter where the heck they originate from 🙂

I assume that Amazon has these authors on their site? I know Trish had recommended an Irish author to me last year and her books weren’t on the U.S. site so the author sent me a couple for review. Just wondering if you know. If not, I will stop being lazy and do the research myself, lol!

I’m going to check out your awards links for bunches of new-to-me titles, and also the three authors you highlighted. Fun! A big thanks to you!

Oh I’ve heard so many good things about aussie authors. I need to read more. I’m also curious about Candice Fox even though she wrote with James Patterson (don’t dislike but he outsources too much). I’ll have to check out Rachel Johns. If someone recommends a book outside of their genre and loves it, I need to check it out! 😀 I read almost everything. LOL

Glad to read your post, Deborah! I like the sound of all three actually. Romance is my primary reading genre, but I branch out particularly to thrillers. I read a lot of Escape Publishing’s books and they are all Aussie authors. One of my favorites is Lizzy Chandler and I also like Bec McMaster, Kendall Talbot, and Elizabeth Rose. I know there are more, but those are the ones coming to mind at the moment. 🙂

I’m the same – but from the suspense side Sophia – so branch out into romantic suspense. And yes I’ve read Lizzy’s as well (think I”ve reviewed both books on my blog). And I met her at a book blogging thing here in Australia a few years ago. She’s a wonderful supporter of women writers!

You now, I never really pay much attention to where the authors are from. I do remember reading this one military romance that’s written by an Aussie author, Kate McCarthy. It is a beautiful and emotional book! It’s one of my favorites

There are some Aussie authors who write beautifully about Australia – or even their part of Australia. Tim Winton often writes about Western Australia for example, and I’ve read a few romance novels by Victoria Purmann who writes about South Australia.

Quite a few authors have the wonderful ability to write in a way that is quintessentially Australian – focusing on the outback or our beaches – for example.

Nick

I’m a big fan of Australian authors, but I’ve only read YA authors. But even the YA is handled so maturely and with so much beauty. Thank you for the recs.
I’m particularly interested in Candice Fox. Her books sound right up my alley.

haha I love how you say “I’m not a reader of romance…No. Nope. No sirree” that is what I SAY too lol I do read paranormal romance so. I’ll give Romantic suspense a try. I don’t think I ever read it. Great post Debbie 🙂